Real-time brain mapping to guide tumor surgery
Towards intra-operative guidance in brain tumor surgery using real-time resting-state functional MRI
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NEURINSIGHT, LLC · NIH-11142186
This project builds automated real-time resting-state fMRI tools to help surgeons find and protect important brain networks during tumor operations.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NEURINSIGHT, LLC (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ALBUQUERQUE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11142186 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team is creating software that analyzes resting-state fMRI continuously to map critical brain networks before and during surgery. It runs on a high-performance workstation and is designed to tolerate head motion, anesthesia effects, and shifts in the brain that occur during operations. The tool will produce automated online maps with quality checks so surgeons can get iterative guidance while removing a tumor. The work builds on an existing real-time fMRI platform and will be refined for use at centers with intraoperative MRI capability.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people having brain tumor surgery—especially patients who cannot perform task-based fMRI, those undergoing surgery under anesthesia, or patients planned for minimally invasive procedures.
Not a fit: Patients without brain tumors, those who cannot have an MRI (for example due to incompatible implants), or cases where standard awake cortical mapping is already sufficient may not benefit from this technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the technology could help surgeons remove tumors more safely by reducing damage to important brain networks and preserving function.
How similar studies have performed: Small prior work, including a Phase I STTR study in 12 patients, showed promise, but fully automated intraoperative resting-state fMRI mapping remains a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
ALBUQUERQUE, UNITED STATES
- NEURINSIGHT, LLC — ALBUQUERQUE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DENNIG, DIETER W — NEURINSIGHT, LLC
- Study coordinator: DENNIG, DIETER W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.